Wake Forest University Department of Counseling
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Lead Instructor: Dr. Tammy Cashwell
Email: cashweth@wfu.edu
The 2016 Standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) indicate the need for a comprehensive clinical experience in which students learn strategies to effectively provide services to a diverse population of clients. The internship is a highly individualized learning experience that provides opportunities for growth in skills, knowledge, and personal development. The Internship is an opportunity to put into practice those foundational (CACREP Section 5:G.1) and contextual (CACREP Section 5:G.2) components taught throughout the program. In internship, you will be provided the opportunity to increase understanding of yourself and your impact on others as well as augment your understanding of your setting (e.g., School, or Clinical). Internship meetings will be composed of various experiences to be determined by the needs, abilities, and concerns of the group members and the supervisor. Activities will be designed to facilitate growth in specific counseling skills, case conceptualization skills, self-awareness, and professional identity development.
The Internship experience is designed to help students further develop the skills required to be an effective counselor while under supervision. You will complete internship courses that together total a minimum of 600 hours of experience in a school or clinical mental health counseling site, with a minimum of 240 hours of direct client contact. University supervision is included as part of the 600-hour minimum requirement. See your Clinical Experience Manual (PDF) for an overview, expectations and examples of direct and indirect service hours. The requirements for each semester of internship are as follows:
Note: See Appendix. A for the Tele-mental Health Counseling Policy regarding professional behavior expectations while counseling virtually.
Note: Failure to complete tasks as assigned may prevent you from being able to complete the course.
Each recording should be accompanied by:
These forms, as well as the Recording Grading Rubric can be found in Canvas under Case Presentations in Assignments.
Please remember that it is your responsibility to adhere to the highest standards for privacy, including HIPAA and FERPA regulations, regarding client confidentiality. Do not include clients’ names or initials in any written communication (e.g., emails, recording review forms).
You are encouraged to record as many sessions as possible. Your university supervisor and/or lead faculty instructor may request additional recordings and/or transcriptions of sessions at any time in order to assess your clinical skills.
IF RECORDING AT YOUR SITE IS A CHALLENGE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR.
All requirements for and interactions regarding this course are opportunities to demonstrate your professional counseling knowledge and behavior. Grades on your midterm and final evaluations are earned based upon our observations of your clinical and professional competence in multiple areas (see evaluation form for specific domains). You will be evaluated on your clinical skills and professional dispositions as demonstrated in: your attendance (including being on time, in an appropriate setting, and with necessary technology); your session recordings and review forms; your contributions to and engagement in individual and group supervision; your openness to and integration of feedback; your timely completion of all course requirements (including all paperwork and required signatures); your professional, timely, and ethical communication with supervisors, clients, and colleagues; and other professional tasks.
There is no required text for this course.
Record Keeping and Personal Notes PowerPoint (PDF)
Instructional methods in this course include discussions and variety of other supervision activities. Examples of such activities include:
Apart from clinical courses, WFU online courses are primarily asynchronous in nature, meaning students and instructors can engage with the learning materials at different times. There are a few notable exceptions, however, such as live sessions, office hours, and triad work (skills courses). For the asynchronous portions of our courses, students interact with instructors through virtual discussion boards, weekly video and/or written announcements, email communications, and formative and summative feedback on assignments. For the synchronous portions of our courses, students interact with lead instructors in weekly, recorded live sessions, and with practitioner instructors in office hours. Regarding live sessions, lead instructors meet virtually with students one hour per week in which they present on a topic related to the learning material for the week, as well as answer questions that students have about the course material or assignments. In office hours, practitioner instructors answer students’ questions about course content and assignments. They also, at times, present on topics related to that week’s lessons.
In clinical courses, instructors interact with students primarily through individual/triadic and group supervision sessions. Instructors also monitor students’ time logs, review required practicum and internship documents, evaluate their counseling session recordings and writeups, and submit midterm and final evaluations related to students’ counseling skills development, as well as their professional dispositions and behaviors development.
This section provides an overview of the items due during this course. See the Course Schedule for additional details.
Each week, students will complete a weekly time log in the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio. The weekly time log is cumulative and thus, the Week 14 time log will serve as a final time log documenting all of the hours for the full semester. The time log should be signed by the site supervisor in Anthology Portfolio once a week. The university supervisor will review the logs each week and monitor student progress.
These are the assignments that will be completed and submitted throughout the duration of the course.
Students are expected to complete and submit the following required documentation by the end of Week 1:
If students will be conducting any telemental health/distance counseling sessions as part of their internship, they will complete the documentation requested as part of the WFU Department of Counseling Telemental Health Policy.
Develop and submit a plan of what you hope to accomplish in the upcoming month. Please include topics of classroom guidance, small groups, estimated number of individual clients, meetings you plan to attend, and any other pertinent information.
Each week, students will meet in group supervision. Most group supervision meetings will follow a general format. Typically, they will begin with a check-in so that each student can tell the group how things are going at their site, ask questions or make comments, and let the group know of any specific issues about which they would like some help from the group. As a group, it will then be determined how to best divide the time to allow for the discussion of emergent issues, along with the week’s formal case presentation(s). Adjustments to the schedule will be made according to the needs of the group. The specific day of Weekly Individual/Paired and Group Supervision Meetings will be determined with the University Supervisor at the start of the course.
Students will have a minimum of three individual supervision meetings with their university supervisor over the course of the semester. Students will coordinate the schedule for their individual supervision meetings with their university supervisor. If necessary, to support your development, your university supervisor may request additional individual supervision meetings as needed.
The topics addressed in these individual supervision meetings will depend upon the student’s unique learning needs at that particular point in their development.
Students will listen to, review, and submit two session recordings for each of their 2nd and 3rd Individual Supervision Meetings. The audio/video recording submissions via Zoom should be accompanied by a Recording Review Form, which students will upload into Anthology Portfolio. The university supervisor will provide the student with feedback on the set of two session recordings during each of their 2nd and 3rd Individual Supervision Meetings. The university supervisor may require additional recordings based on the individual student’s developmental needs.
If a student cannot obtain a session recording at their site, they will consult with their lead faculty and university supervisor about completing the alternative recording assignment in place of a client recording. Although all recordings are due by Week 14 Day 7, the first session recording should be submitted by Week 6 Day 7 and the second session recording should be submitted by Week 11 Day 7. If a student cannot submit their first recording by these dates, they should discuss other arrangements with their university supervisor and lead faculty.
Please review the WFU HIPAA-Secure Zoom Policies and Procedures before recording counseling sessions.
Presenting a case provides you with the opportunity to take a closer look at your strengths and challenges as a developing counselor. Make at least one oral case presentation to the supervision group. Please provide group members with a write-up of your case using the same form you use for tape reviews by supervisors or peers. (These forms will be shredded after your presentation.) You should use one continuous segment of tape approximately 10 minutes long for your presentation. Students will sign up for presentation dates. This will count as one of your required tapes.
As students approach the halfway point of the semester, they will ask their site supervisor to provide them with a midterm evaluation using the Midterm Evaluation Form within the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio. Students will then review the evaluation together with their site supervisor during their Week 7 site supervision meeting. The site supervisor will complete this assignment, but students are expected to ensure that their site supervisor has access to the midterm and final evaluation forms within Anthology Portfolio.
At both the midpoint and closing of the semester, the university supervisor will provide the student with an evaluation using the Supervisor Evaluation rubric in Anthology Portfolio. They will review it with the student in an individual supervision meeting. The university supervisor will complete this requirement within the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio.
In keeping with the expectation that professional counselors engage in regular self-assessment and continuing education, students will submit a self-evaluation paper (four to five pages) that describes their personal and professional experiences during internship in lieu of a final examination.
As students approach the end of the semester, they will ask their site supervisor to provide them with a final evaluation using the Final Evaluation Form within the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio. The site supervisor will complete this assignment, but students are expected to ensure that they have access to the midterm and final evaluation forms within Anthology Portfolio.
Students will evaluate their experience at the internship site. Students will complete and submit the Student Evaluation of Practicum/Internship Experience Form that is available in the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio.
For this assignment, students will evaluate their internship instructor (university supervisor) by completing and submitting the Student Evaluation of Practicum/Internship University Supervisor Form that is available on the WFU Counseling Forms for Current Students site. In order to ensure the anonymity of the feedback form, students will submit this form as an email attachment to the Program Manager.
At the closing of the semester, the university supervisor will provide students with an evaluation using the Supervisor Evaluation rubric in Anthology Portfolio. They will review it with the student in an individual supervision meeting. The university supervisor will complete this requirement within the Field Placement section of Anthology Portfolio.
Assignments are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day that is listed in the assignments section. Unless arrangements have been made, students who submit late assignments will receive a 10% grade deduction for each day beyond the due date.
This table details the grade points and/or percentages of each assignment.
Assignment | Points Possible | Percentage |
---|---|---|
University Supervisor’s Evaluation - Midterm | 100 | 40% |
University Supervisor’s Evaluation - Final | 100 | 60% |
Total | 200 | 100% |
Faculty, in conjunction with supervisors, possess the professional judgment necessary to determine whether a student is suitable for the field of counseling, for example making progress toward self-awareness and serving their future clients ethically and professionally. Student professional disposition (e.g., openness, flexibility, cooperativeness) will be evaluated by their instructors and supervisors during clinical experiences and at other points in the program. University faculty are expected to use their professional judgment and expertise to determine whether a student passes a clinical course, passes upon successful completion of remediation plan, or does not pass the course.
To earn a passing grade for internship, students must complete their required internship hours, demonstrate that their clinical skills and professional dispositions meet expectations, and provide evidence for growth and improvement in their clinical skills and professional dispositions over the course of the semester. While the final grade is generally based on the grading policy listed, faculty and supervisors may determine that there are issues with a student’s clinical skills and/or professional disposition that prevent the student from earning a passing grade. Final grading is at the discretion of the lead faculty.
Your university supervisor’s midterm evaluation will be informed by your site supervisor’s midterm evaluation and your university supervisor’s final evaluation will be informed by your site supervisor’s final evaluation. The midterm and final evaluations use the Counselor Competencies Scale-Revised. The following is a summary of the domains measured:
Domains assessed in the Counselor Competencies Scale-Revised (Lambie et al., 2015)
Primary Counseling Skills
Counseling Dispositions & Behaviors
This table lists the letter grade corresponding to ranges of points.
Final grading is at the discretion of the faculty.
Note: Per Department and University policy, for skills and clinical courses such as this one, a grade below 82.5 will result in the student being required to re-take the course.
Letter Grade | Percentage |
---|---|
A | 93–100 |
A− | 90–92 |
B+ | 87–89 |
B | 83–86 |
B− | 80–82 |
C+ | 77–79 |
C | 70–76 |
F | 0–69 |
Note: Numeric values for midterm and final evaluations are as follows: A=96, A-=91, B+=88, B=85, B-=81, C+=78, C=73, F=0. This scale can be found in Canvas.
Every student is required to practice and adhere to the principle of academic integrity while undertaking studies with Wake Forest University. Maintaining academic integrity is considered an essential academic standard of every graduate course and program. The University does not tolerate academic dishonesty.
Every student is required to practice and adhere to the Tele-mental Health Counseling Policy as a provision of distance counseling services rendered during clinical courses observed by Wake Forest University. To maintain integrity with the policy see the guidelines in detail in Appendix. A.
Every student is required to practice and adhere to the principle of academic integrity while undertaking studies with Wake Forest University. Maintaining academic integrity is considered an essential academic standard of every graduate course and program. The University does not tolerate academic dishonesty.
The graduate faculty at Wake Forest has adopted a formal honor code to provide guidance for student conduct with respect to academic pursuits. Read the Graduate Student Academic Honor Code (PDF).
Academic dishonesty may be an academic issue or a disciplinary issue, or both, depending on its pervasiveness and/or severity. Any student engaged in academic dishonesty may face reprimand, disciplinary warning, a lowered or failing grade(s), and/or probation or suspension from the course, academic program, or University; or expulsion from the University.
The list that follows includes examples, although not all-inclusive, of academic dishonesty:
For the complete academic honesty policy and tips to avoid plagiarism, please see your WFU Dept of Counseling Student Handbook (PDF).
You deserve a community free of bias and discrimination. A bias incident is an act or behavior consciously or unconsciously motivated by the offender’s bias against facets of another’s identity. As stated in the University's Equal Opportunity Policy, these facets include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and veteran status. If you experience or witness an incident of bias or discrimination, please visit Report Bias.
For further information on all academic policies, including the policies for adding and dropping a course, requesting a grade of incomplete, academic probation, termination of enrollment, reinstatement, and student and faculty expectations, see the WFU Dept of Counseling Student Handbook (PDF). Further information can be found in the WFU Dept of Counseling Clinical Experience Manual (PDF).
In accordance with Wake Forest University's policy regarding class recordings, be mindful of this information:
It is very important that students actively engage in class discussions, and that students communicate in a timely manner with their instructors if unforeseen circumstances negatively affect their academic engagement. WFU monitors student academic engagement through student activity in the course, much of which can be monitored automatically in Canvas (e.g., logging into the course in Canvas, participating in discussion boards, submitting assignments, reviewing learning materials in the modules); attending live sessions, office hours, and individual/triadic/group supervision sessions; and communicating by phone or email with instructors. If an entire week passes without a student submission of an assignment and/or no contact is made with instructors, the following will occur:
Identify the minimum device configuration requirements for this institution.
Assistance to resolve technical problems is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Students can access the Help Desk at: Wake Forest Help Desk.
Help Desk services are restricted primarily to problems associated with the functionality of the course delivery platform. Responsibilities include:
Sometimes students may not be sure whether a problem they are having is caused by their computer system or the online learning management system. The Help Desk will help students figure out where the problem lies and attempt to resolve issues immediately. However, some highly advanced hardware issues may require additional assistance. If this is the case, the Help Desk may suggest seeking assistance from a local computer repair establishment.
Be sure to check the browser version (latest version of Firefox or Chrome) and plug-ins. Use the Check My Browser tool on the Wake Forest Help Desk page (under the Tools drop-down menu) to analyze browser and system settings. This will ensure that students have the necessary settings to navigate their courses.
Call a Canvas Expert: 833.383.5792
For Canvas technical support, select the Help icon in the navigation bar, where students will find several options including:
When submitting a ticket, be as specific as possible in the description of the issue. Include the name of the course and the date the issue occurred, the browser being used and, if possible, screenshots to help Canvas support personnel troubleshoot the issue and expedite service.
Note: Lead Faculty and PIs do not provide Canvas support.
AskDeac services include most technology issues outside of the scope of course delivery. Common requests include assistance setting up a VPN, setting up a WFU Zoom account, using Google Drive, and resetting WFU email passwords.
Assistance to resolve technical issues is available through Email or Live Chat from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Phone support is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
Access AskDeac at: AskDeac.
Wake Forest University is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides campus resources such as the Intercultural Center, LGBTQ Center, Women’s Center, and more. Locate these on the webpage under Affinity & Support.
To learn more about WFU’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion read the Non-Discrimination Statement and policy on Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability.
Pro Humanitate - As a part of the Wake Forest community, the faculty and staff of the Department of Counseling fully embrace the concept of Pro Humanitate. In each of our classes (graduate, undergraduate, face-to-face and virtual), we strive to affirm every person and every identity including but not limited to gender identity, affectional orientation, language, national origin, color, race, disability, sex, religion, creed, and ancestry. We embrace the development of critical thinkers that consistently aspire to become culturally responsive and encourage you to challenge your own biases while developing the necessary skills to enter your chosen profession. Further, the faculty and staff will promote the Realizing Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (R.I.D.E.) framework in our teaching, research, supervision and advising. We hope that you will join us along this journey, with a commitment to advocacy and social justice in both your personal and professional lives. Pro Humanitate, to better the lives of all humans!
Wake Forest strives to provide equal access for all learners. Learning content contained within the Canvas Learning Management System is designed to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Throughout our course development process, we test the capabilities of our learning content against these standards.
Wake Forest University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with differing needs and abilities can thrive.
Along with the mission of the Division of Student Life, Disability Services exists to enable students with disabilities to experience equal access to the academic, social, and recreational activities and programs at Wake Forest University. To achieve this goal, the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (CLASS) is available to offer academic support for all Wake Forest Students. CLASS staff works with students, faculty, and staff to implement services and accommodations that are in accordance with both state and federal laws and our own commitment to this goal.
If a student has a disability that may require an accommodation for taking this course, use the Student Portal Login located on the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (CLASS) website. Alternatively, contact the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success at the contact information provided.
Contact Information:
118 Reynolda Hall, WFU
Winston-Salem, NC, 27109
Phone: 336-758-5929
Email: class@wfu.edu
Situations may arise in which a student believes that they have not received fair treatment from a faculty member in an academic matter. In such cases, within two weeks of the student's awareness of the treatment they should talk with the faculty member. If the student and faculty member cannot resolve the problem, the student should immediately consult their advisor and the Chair of the Counseling Department as indicated in the Graduate Student Handbook (PDF). If a resolution satisfactory to both parties cannot be reached in a reasonable time, which can vary according to the complexity of the matter, the student may choose to initiate the Graduate Student Academic Grievance Procedure as indicated in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Disaster Planning/Catastrophic Event Policy: In the event the University calendar is disrupted by disaster or catastrophic event, please continue with the assigned lessons and adhere to the due dates of assignments and discussions. The instructor will be available by email or by phone, unless the internet or phone is inaccessible.
The course week runs from Monday (Day 1) to Sunday (Day 7). Due dates for assignments and discussions are stated in day numbers. Unless otherwise noted, all assessments are due by 11:59 p.m. E.T. on the designated day.
Please Note: Readings refer to course materials, which are only the textbook(s), Course Reserves, WFU library readings, or scholarly articles. Refer to the course space for all other instructional content (websites, lectures, videos, interactive activities, etc.)
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Week 1: Professional Disclosure Statement (Due Day 7) Week 1: Consent to Record Form (Due Day 7) Week 1: Learning Experience Form (Due Day 7) Week 1: Site Supervisor-Student Recording Agreement Form (Due Day 7) Week 1: Statement of Individual Learning Goals Weekly Group Supervision |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None |
Weekly Group Supervision |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weeks 1, 5, 9, and 13: Monthly Planning (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Individual Supervision Counseling Recording 1 – Recording Review Form (Due Day 7) 1st Individual Supervision Meeting (Due Day 7) Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None |
Site Supervisor’s Evaluation – Midterm University Supervisor’s Evaluation - Midterm |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Recording Review Form 1 (Due Day 7) Recording Review Form 2 (Due Day 7) Recording Review Form 3 (Optional) (Due Day 7) Recording Review Form 4 (Optional) (Due Day 7) Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weeks 1, 5, 9, and 13: Monthly Planning (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | 2nd Individual Supervision Meeting (Due Day 7) Individual Supervision Counseling Recording 2 – Recording Review Form (Due Day 7) Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None | Weekly Group Supervision (Due Day 7) Weeks 1, 5, 9, and 13: Monthly Planning (Due Day 7) Weekly Time Log (Due Day 7) |
None |
Lesson | Readings | Discussions | Assignments | Quizzes/Exams |
---|---|---|---|---|
None | None | None |
Site Supervisor’s Evaluation – Final 3rd Individual Supervision Meeting |
None |
The emphasis of the counseling program, first and foremost, is to train individuals to be school and clinical mental health counselors. Some additional specialization, such as training in a particular theoretical orientation or with special populations, can occur through students’ practicum, internship experiences, and extracurricular training programs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted traditional practicum and internship courses by requiring many students to provide distance professional services as opposed to face-to-face counseling. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC; 2016) defines distanced professional services as “the use of electronic or other means (e.g., telephones or computers) to provide services such as counseling, supervision, consultation, or education” (p. 1). The Department of Counseling has developed the following guidelines regarding practicum and internship students’ provision of distance counseling services:
**Please note that this policy may be revised as needed for reasons that include, but are not limited to, adhering to changes in CACREP requirements.**